More details on Subsea 7's new reeled pipelay/construction vessel

Vessel & ROV News - August 25, 2005

Offshore Shipping Online has obtained more details and images of Subsea 7's newbuild reeled pipelay and construction vessel, which is being built by Merwede shipyard in the Netherlands.

The newbuild will have the ability to perform a wide variety of offshore and subsea operations in addition to its main pipelay role, and the high specification pipelay spread for the ship is being designed and manufactured by Huisman-Itrec in Holland.

The following systems provide the vessel with this multi-role capability, including construction, ROV support, and survey.

• The pipelay spread comprises main and piggyback reels and an adjustable lay ramp.

• The ramp has a top tension capability of 300 tonnes, upgradeable to 400 tonnes, and hold back capability of 600 tonnes. A/R capability of 80 tonnes & 360 tonnes, upgradeable to 450 tonnes.

• The main reel has a storage capacity of 3500 tonnes

• The newbuild vessel can handle rigid pipes up to 16-in, flexibles and also umbilicals.

• The vessel will have a comprehensive survey system including: current profiler, multibeam echo sounder, and heading reference system.

• The vessel will be equipped with two permanently mounted side launching workclass ROVs rated to 3000m depth capability. Pre-installed service points allow easy installation of an additional workclass and observation class ROVs.

Major items of deck equipment include:

• Huisman deck crane rated for offshore lifts of up to 350 tonnes.

• 2 x auxiliary cranes rated for offshore lifts of (1) 40 tonnes at 16m, (2) 12tonnes at 25m.

The main deck has a load rating of 10t/m2, locally increased to 15t/m2 to allow loading of large subsea structures.

The vessel's primary job demands full DP capability coupled with considerable power - some 20,160kW, supplied by six Wartsila dual fuel generators.

Dynamic Positioning comprising Kongsberg/Simrad SDP 22 system utilising the following reference system:

• Two Hipap

• Three DGPS

• Tautwire

• Fanbeam (when required)

There will be well appointed facilities for up to 120 persons, built to Lloyd's Crew Accommodation Class 3. Key areas comprise state-of-the-art pipelay control and survey centres, conference rooms, project office, and client's office.